pronounced wai-MAH-nah-loh
Long stretch of fine white sand on the windward coast — quieter than Kailua, with mostly gentle entry.
NWS forecast for this exact lat/lon — forecasts can change, re-check before you go.
41-741 Kalanianaʻole Hwy, Waimānalo, HI 96795
Waimānalo Beach is the calmer, less-crowded windward alternative to Kailua. Water depth gradient is gentle and the bottom is clean sand. Trade winds keep it cool. Two park sections: Waimānalo Beach Park (south) and Waimānalo Bay Beach Park / Sherwood Forest (north). Both work for kids; Sherwood has more shade trees.
Sherwood Forest (Waimānalo Bay Beach Park) has the better tree shade and is the local favorite. Waimānalo Beach Park (the main south section) has more facilities but more weekend crowd. Local food trucks along the highway for plate lunch.
Lifeguarded at the park sections. Shorebreak can be sharper than it looks — watch small kids in the wash zone.
This beach sits in the Extreme Tsunami Evacuation Zone per Hawai‘i Statewide GIS. If sirens sound or shaking is felt, move inland and uphill immediately. Hawai‘i Emergency Management →
Free parking in both park sections. Don't leave anything visible in the car — car break-ins are a known issue here.
Public restrooms at both park sections.
Sherwood Forest is well-shaded by ironwood and coconut trees. The main beach park section has some shade but more open sand.
Weekday mornings. The wind builds through midday. Weekends are popular with local families — go early or expect a crowd.
Accessibility: Paved paths in the park sections; sand access has small drop-offs in places.
Three miles of ironwood-backed beach inside the Bellows AFS — public access on weekends + federal holidays only.
The Windward family standard — wide white sand, mostly shallow bay water, trade-wind cooling, full park facilities.
Calm shallow reef water with the iconic Mokulua islets view — beautiful but no facilities and strict parking restrictions.